tech ronin

2nd Gen MacBook Air SSD, 10 days in

I couldn't be happier with my new MacBook Air. It is unimaginably small and light. I saw it, I picked it up at the store many times. I knew intellectually it was light and thin but that didn't really sink in until I had it on my lap for the first time. Now, this is a laptop!

I got the SSD model for $2400 on Amazon. That was approximately $700 extra to get the SSD instead of 4200 rpm 1.8 inch hard drive model. I can't really tell you how much the SSD is helping but I can say that I get all the speed I want with this model. I don't and haven't thought, maybe I should use my 2 year-old MacBook Pro or 2.8 ghz iMac because I need more speed.

I bought the USB to ethernet adapter which is still awaiting a reason to be. I figured I will need it occasionally where wi-fi isn't available. I didn't buy the external DVD drive. I have an iMac with a good drive and the remote feature works perfectly. Downloads will suit the vast majority of my needs.

The Gen 2 MacBook Air SSD is what I was hoping for and more. I'm thinking this is my 90% time computer. The iMac is going to be for when I need lots of screen real estate and to keep my connection to the many hard drives I've got hooked up there. My MacBook Pro is an extra machine and is serving well while I get the data I want over the Air which I chose to build from scratch rather than transfer apps and data from my MBP.

I do a morning walk of about 1-1/2 miles to my local coffee place and I've always wanted to be able to carry a notebook. I tried taking my Powerbook 15 a shorter distance a few years ago and my back gave out after about a week. Finally, I'm testing the dream again. I've brought the Air with me every day for 10 days with nary a twinge. I got a light neoprene case (incase) for protection and carry it in a super light knapsack. These together only weigh a pound. I'm doing just fine with my 4 lb pack.

The MacBook Air is the Ergonomic King for sure. You can have it on your lap, stomach, knee - whereever. Moving it as you shift positions. All those easy options means that I don't get stiff or sore because I'm mobile while working. I'm not used to this level of comfort in my heavy-computer use.

Even in this bad, bad economy, the Air makes sense. For some people, the netbook might work. For me and I think many others, the access to a full-size keyboard, full-strength computing and 13 inch screen in a tiny 3 lb package is all the computer they need. I can't get what I want done with a Netbook. And, I don't want to try. My iPhone will handle the little stuff.

If you are an active knowledge-worker, you owe it to yourself to try one of these out next time you even think you might want a new computer. My days of lugging around a heavy notebook are over. My back is going to love me!

Apple TV with iPhone Remote: Part 1 Getting Started

Alrighty now! Just got my Apple TV going. I replaced my old conventional 50" TV for a shiny new 40" Sony XBR HDTV because I wanted to run Apple TV. The economy tanked around the time I got my HDTV so I am just now getting my Apple TV. This first post is more about Apple TV than the Remote.

First thing to do when you get your Apple TV is to (1) plug a 3rd-party HDMI cable ($20 at the Apple store) plus (2) the included power cable into your HDTV. That was a snap. I placed the Apple TV on top of my DVD player which is a low-slung device with plenty of room above it. looking good. I doubt someone would even notice the Apple TV in my installation without me pointing it out.

You will want a 3rd HDMI port for this assuming you are already filling up 2 HDMI ports with Cable box and DVD player of some kind (hopefully a PSP3). You will sooner or later want an HDMI switcher. The XtremeMac HDMI switcher for $99.95 looks like a major winner. It converts a single HDMI port into 4. See below.

Couldn't get my iPhone working as a Remote at first because I needed to update my Apple TV to the latest software that supports the multiple remotes and the iPhone or iPod touch running the Remote app. It was about a 6 minute process to download the update over my DSL wi-fi.

Some gorgeous stock photos of flowers are going by on the screen. I'm getting why photos are nice to look at on an HDTV already.

Woohoo! My iPhone 3G just showed up under the new Remotes heading (Settings / General). I selected it and before me is a 14" x 14" giant icon for the iPhone Remote app.

Way cool, all I need to do is use my regular remote to enter the 4 digit number that is appearing on my iPhone Remote. Takes a while to enter on the dumb remote but I have to admit the menus in Apple TV are sexy. Almost fun to use.

Yay! It looks like I can pair my 2nd iPhone too while I'm at it. Let's see. Firing up iPhone 2G. Select Remote. OK. Good to go. Just in case my housemate wants to use a remote.

The Remote software takes me right into the iTunes part of the iPhone using the music that has already automatically migrated to the Apple TV. This is so cool that I'm already thinking I need to buy some speakers for my TV setup. I had some giant Infinity speakers from the old home stereo days. I gave them away to my sister when we moved last Fall. But now, I see the need for new speakers. Soon!

I picked my latest playlist. It shows the album art like it were an old time record album cover except even bigger. Finally. Now we need to see all the cover art, cover notes and the rest. We already needed this on the iPod but now it's worse. A must have. Apple? We need your help here.

Apple's default screen saver has taken over the screen. It is still beautiful but obviously it needs to be under my control. [Update: now my own iPhoto album is the source for my screensaver and music is from one of my chosen playlists playing randomly].

I am going to have to do better than listen to my TV's built-in speakers. They're pretty good but I bet a $100 pair would rock so much better. I want some that are about 2" high. Will need to do some online shopping real soon.

Back to iTunes on my MacBook Pro, though. There we have the Apple TV showing up as another device to sync to. It has 3 tabs: Summary, Movies and Photos. I just pick which of my photo albums I want to sync to my AppleTV and click Apply. Easy as can be. This use of iTunes totally works. How could you tolerate something 10x more difficult?

I can see one problem coming. I really don't want to add much to this MacBookPro like HD podcasts and TV shows. Wonder how good the streaming will be from my iMac that has a roomy 500 gig drive plus a couple terabytes of external hard drives hanging off it?

Whoa! I'm watching a slideshow on my TV of my most recent photos including a lot of downloaded photos I've collected. In the background is Eric Clapton doing a damn good job even on my TV speakers. Rock!!!

Gizmodo Video of How to pair iPhone "Remote" to the Apple TV.

Grading Apple's New Releases 2 Weeks in

On July 11, Apple launched 4 major initiatives: iPhone 3G, iPhone 2.0 software, the App Store and MobileMe. There's no way Apple planned that all 4 would launch on the same day. I'm sure Apple hoped to release some of these things in prior weeks but ran into unforeseen problems that delayed them.

Finally, the 22-country iPhone 3G release date came. That was a hard deadline and it required the other pieces. So damn the torpedoes! As might have been anticipated, everything seemed to go awry to one degree or another

iPhone 3G Launch. People encountered enormous and interminable lines at Apple stores trying to buy the iPhone 3G and many went away without a phone. Previous iPhone owners endured hours when they couldn't use their old phone or their new one. Nevertheless, a million iPhone 3Gs were sold over the first weekend. Shortages continued for days. C-

iPhone 3G. What about the phone itself? The price cut worked in driving sales even if AT&T will recoup the discount in monthly fees down the line. People who got good 3G in their area were pleased with the speed bump. People who didn't get good reception like me were not pleased about paying an extra $15/month with little recompense. Most people liked the GPS, but original iPhone owners noted that they also liked the new artificial GPS pretty well. Battery life doesn't go very far when you use 3G, GPS and all the new apps including games. The phone looks a little better, sounds better and has better reception. B

MobileMe didn't work or wasn't accessible. The so-called "Push" people expected didn't push both ways in a timely manner. Since then all sorts of syncing problems have ensued and in some cases data has been lost. The current status is that MobileMe is a MobileMess. D

iPhone 2.0 software. Mixed bag all the way. The apps are all over the map but in general are great fun and offer quite a lot of utility to boot. The downside is that (1) you'll use up your batteries in a hurry if you are a big gamer and (2) iPhone 2.0 OS is slower, sometimes 3x slower. B-

The App Store. The App store is a wonder. The main thing is you can buy apps in a button touch on your iPhone. They install automatically. This is a break through for software purchasing and installation. Awesome! Updating is just as good when it works right from your phone, but there have been reports that sometimes the only way to upgrade is to do it in iTunes on your computer. The applications are a huge addition to the iPhone. A-

Upgrade to the 3G iPhone? Pros and Cons

I think I will upgrade. Here's what I'm thinking:

Cons:
• $30/month data plan instead of current $20/month
• No free SMS messages, so add $5 more per mo for that
• I already have a perfectly good iPhone that still works
• I only use EDGE 10% of the time now. 3G replaces EDGE.
• I don't know how good 3G coverage will be in my area.
• 3G drains battery life at twice the speed
• What if a 32gb iPhone 2 is released in September?

Pros:
• 3G speeds may mean I use my iPhone more when away from wi-fi
• 3G speeds mean when there's no wi-fi, the experience is better
• GPS will make burgeoning location based services better
• Better reception
• You sound better to the people you are calling
• Much better audio from the speakers (according to Steve)
• Looks a little better with the new design
• The expensive data plan is about like other 3G plans
• I get the subsidized price after only 1 year on my previous plan
• 3G lets you receive calls while surfing the Net!
• Get to see what it's like to have the best 3G phone on the planet

Update: Good stuff you should read - hands on reviews out July 9:
Walt Mossberg, Wall Street Journal
Edward Baig, USA Today
David Pogue, New York Times

3G iPhone with GPS, MobileMe Analysis

More News:

0. Reception is noticeably better according to Gizmodo hands-on.

.5 "3G data on the maps and browser were only slightly slower than WiFi" - Gizmodo.

1. $30/month: for he AT&T 3G data plan. Keep in mind, 3G will cost you an extra $10/month. 1 year is $120. 2 years is $240. Also, I hear you don't get any free SMS messages (currently I get 200 free/mo.) I'll pay just because there will be times when I'm stuck away from wi-fi and want to get stuff done with relative speed.

2. $45/month for unlimited 3G data for business - assume that is for Exchange support

3. iPhone 3G is a tiny bit bigger 115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm vs 115 x 61 x 11.6 mm. But it is "thinner feeling" according to Gizmodo.

4. iPhone 3G is ever so slightly lighter. 4.7 oz. or 133 grams vs 135 grams for 1st gen iPhone.

5. You have to sign a new 2 year contract to get these great prices. So that puts you at 3 more years if you bought on iPhone day 1. That means it will cost you about $175 to break a 2 year contract and then you pay another $300 if you want the cool 16 gb model.

6. Improved battery life. Sort of. You get 10 instead of 8 hours of 2G talk time and 5 hours of 3G talk time. Not sure why 3G matters when you are talking on the phone -- maybe it is operating in the background.

The Keynote finished up a couple hours ago. We now know that Apple will deliver the 3G iPhone on July 11th. It will sell for $199 for the 8 gb model and $299 for the 16 gb model. At that price, of course, I will buy one. I was prepared to spend $600 if I had to.

3G iPhone. First thing, Apple is delivering a cheap iPhone and it has 3G plus GPS. I wasn't expecting so much for so little. He is aggressively competing against smartphones: Nokia, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Treo. It is clear that Apple considers the success of the iPhone as the centerpiece of its business.

MobileMe. I'm very happy about the MobileMe announcement. DotMac is dead. Long live MobileMe. Same price $99 a year, but a lot more value. Now you get 20 gigs of storage instead of 10. That's pretty good certainly that will store some of my most important files plus backup my iPhone if I need it to.

"Think of MobileMe as 'Exchange for the rest of us,' Now users who are not part of an enterprise that runs Exchange can get the same push email, push calendars and push contacts that the big guys get." - Steve Jobs

More to follow. This article is a work in progress. I should have much more in the next few minutes. I'm going to watch the keynote and explore Apple's website.

MacBook + iPod touch for $995 = Awesome

Whoa! Any non-starving student in the market for a computer, would be a fool to pass up this deal. There could be a lot of new students all of a sudden. ;-)

Apple is making a bold competitive move just as the PC is at its weakest. To put it another way, Steve is going for the throat.

This bargain offer is a way for Apple to dabble in low cost computers without hurting the status of their brand. I'm checking out what it takes to qualify as a student ASAP.

The low-end MacBook has only one gig of RAM which is fine for normal casual computer use. However, if you are a heavy user especially of graphics, video or web browser with lots of apps running and tabs open, 1 gig isn't enough.

Other World Computing can fix you up with 4 gigs (a pair of 2 gb modules) for $95. You'll need to handle installation yourself or pay about $25 to your local third party Mac shop to have them install it for you.

Expect Apple to sell a boatload of MacBooks and help their installed base of iPod touches to boot.

Upcoming Mini iPhone + iPod touch option

One of the more credible iPhone rumors of late is that of a smaller, thinner plastic-covered iPhone with a 2.8" screen. I don't pretend to fore-knowledge about Apple's plans, but if this smaller iPhone happens, I would welcome it.

I plan to continue my combo iPhone + iPod touch approach. Here's why. I use my iPod touch about 80% and my iPhone 25%. The extra 5% is the overlap when I want to keep my place on one device while looking something up on the other.

iPod touch. I'm in a wi-fi hotspot about 90% of the time. Since the iPod touch surfs as well as the iPhone when wi-fi is available (and is thinner and lighter), I use it. I spare my iPhone battery and avoid missing calls which get routed directly to voicemail when I'm accessing the web from my iPhone.

iPhone. I use my iPhone for EDGE-based net access when wi-fi isn't available. I use it to take casual photos. I use it as a phone. And I use it to listen to podcasts while walking alone.  I also prefer it for listening to podcasts or music in my car because it switches so seamlessly between hands-free calls and content.

In this 2-device division of labor, I could see myself using a smaller, more elegant iPhone with 2.8" screen. The iPod touch needs as much screen as it can get. I will find a way to carry a larger iPod touch or iPod tablet if one becomes available since the screen real estate is so valuable.

Apple wants us to carry 2 Apple handhelds. My experience of using the iPhone and iPod touch together makes me look forward to fitting enthusiastically into their plans.

AT&T's free wi-fi at Starbucks is a Game Changer

Wow, this is huge and especially benefits Apple with its lead in the wi-fi-based mobile space. Steve got AT&T to support free wi-fi. How great. AT&T DSL customers get unlimited free wi-fi at Starbucks.

If you have a Starbucks debit card, you get 2 free hours a day. No more having to pay $20 or more a month to get free wi-fi at Starbucks. Keep in mind that Starbucks is the king of coffee. If they give out free wi-fi, doesn't that mean that all the other coffee places will need to provide free wi-fi to compete? The answer is yes.

If everyone was paying Verizon for 3G access (which is slower than wi-fi by the way), no one would need free wi-fi unless they were carrying a laptop which most people don't do.

This totally supports the iPod touch and significantly increases the value of its free wi-fi access. Remember that Apple kept mentioning the iPod touch as a wi-fi mobile device at their quarterly finance conference. Now we know why.

I've been saying all along that we need more free wi-fi. This is the best news ever on that front. The enemy of wi-fi is the cellular carrier. To get the biggest US cell carrier to give away wi-fi is huge.

This move also really helps the current iPhone which has wi-fi but not 3G. I've always wondered why people were so much in a big hurry about 3G on the iPhone because (1) I thought AT&T would charge more than $20/month for a 3G data plan - try $30 or $40 and (2) there is a good chance Apple would drop wi-fi capability once the iPhone is 3G.

Wi-fi is the populous choice. It allows the technology makers like Apple, cell phone makers like Nokia and little-guy-makers to freely create what they want and helps their strength vis-a-vis the carrier. All mobile phone makers get leverage with the carrier to the extent they can use wi-fi in place of cellular.

All along the carriers have been restricting trade in a monopolistic fashion (2-year contracts for example) and have been suppressing the expression of the mobile phone makers. Here's Steve rescuing the industry again if they could only admit it. He deserves some kudos.

Among others, Matt Hamblen at Computerworld has the full story.

Sunset iPhone/iPod touch RPG rocks

Wow! Those of you who have been waiting for an RPG shooter rejoice. This is a free, fun little web-base demonstration that will tide me over for a bit. Navigate to the Sunset game with your iPhone or iPod touch to play it. Made by Donald Hays.

On level 2. Took me a couple minutes to figure game play. Go to the site and start. Remember to save.

Can Twitter Replace IM on the iPod touch?

Ever since I got my iPod touch during the holidays, I've been websurfing and tweetsurfing to learn about it. By the way, tweetsurfing is done by using Terraminds' free twitter search engine. At least, that's what I have been using quite happily.

One common complaint about the stock iPod touch is that it doesn't have an IM client built in. The iPhone also doesn't have an IM client but at least it has SMS as a substitute.

I have an iPhone and an iPod touch and I carry both around with me whenever I leave the house and most times in the house. So, I always have the SMS client of the iPhone. But, I also have twitter which I check regularly.

Maybe twitter can serve as a more generic, web-based way to stay in touch (no pun intended). I do think if you have an iPod touch, some kind of web-based IM or Twitter client would be essential. Of course, since everyone has a cell phone and a lot of people use SMS on whatever cell phone they have, I guess my iPod touch pals are covered there.

Now that you can make a webclip button for your favorite twitter client, you are set there.

One last issue is connectivity. Unfortunately the touch doesn't have Bluetooth so you can't get connectivity from your cell phone. That sucks and of course is almost certainly due to the demands of AT&T to keep the that sort of functionality for the iPhone only. Of course, too the iPhone's Bluetooth is crippled.

All this leads me to mention my hopes that somehow we can (1) be freed from the cellular provider obstruction of free wireless access or (2) we can get a lot more wi-fi hotspots out there. I have to believe the cell providers have killed the wi-fi proliferation that we used to see.

Finally, I can't get a decent AT&T signal in my new condo in Tiburon. Why oh why can't I talk on the phone using wi-fi in my house? I am very encouraged to see that T-Mobile is offering just that now with some phones like the BlackBerry Curve.

Update Jan 31: I am using wi-fi to make any calls outside my local calling area when I can with Skype. To clarify, I want the wi-fi in my iPhone to be able to use wi-fi to fill in when my EDGE voice quality drops. I believe that is what T-Mobile is starting to offer.